[bestbits] The Necessity of an Inclusive, Transparent and Participatory Internet

[Deborah Brown]

FYI- Note the reference to Best Bits below.


The blog below is being posted on NTIA, State and FCC websites

The Necessity of an Inclusive, Transparent and Participatory Internet

On the eve of the World Conference on International Telecommunications
(WCIT), we believe that it is the right time to reaffirm the U.S.
Government's commitment to the multistakeholder model as the appropriate
process for addressing Internet policy and governance issues.  The
multistakeholder model has enabled the Internet to flourish.  It has
promoted freedom of expression, both online and off.  It has ensured the
Internet is a robust, open platform for innovation, investment, economic
growth and the creation of wealth throughout the world, including in
developing countries.

There are those who may suggest next week in Dubai - and in future venues
where Internet policy is discussed - that the United States controls the
Internet. Alternatively, they may suggest that in the future governments
alone should run the Internet.  Our response is grounded in the reality
that this is simply not the case.  The Internet is a decentralized network
of networks and there is no one party - government or industry - that
controls the Internet today.  And that's a good thing.

The Internet's decentralized, multistakeholder processes enable us all to
benefit from the  engagement of all interested parties. By encouraging the
participation of industry, civil society, technical and academic experts,
and governments from around the globe, multistakeholder processes result in
broader and more creative problem solving.  This is essential when dealing
with the Internet, which thrives through the cooperation of many different
parties.

The global community has many serious topics to discuss with respect to the
Internet.  Collectively, we need to ensure that these matters are taken up
in suitable multistakeholder venues so that these discussions are well
informed by the voices of all interested parties.
Our commitment to the multistakeholder model is based on the fact that
transparency, inclusion and participation are the 21st century standards
governing discussions related to modern communications.  *This is a view
shared by many around the world and was most recently reiterated by a
statement of civil society members and groups from around the world who
participated in the "Best Bits" pre-Internet Governance Forum (IGF) meeting
held earlier this month in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The U.S. Government wishes to
lend its support to the spirit of the recommendations contained in the
statement.*

We have and will continue to advocate for an Internet that is not dominated
by any one player or group of players, and one that is free from
bureaucratic layers that cannot keep up with the pace of change.  We will
work with everyone to ensure that we have a global Internet that allows all
voices to be heard.

----------------------
Lawrence E. Strickling, Administrator, National Telecommunications and
Information Administration (NTIA)

Julius Genachowski, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Phillip L. Verveer, U.S. Coordinator for International Communications and
Information Policy, State Department



-- 
Deborah Brown
Policy Analyst
Access | AccessNow.org
E. deborah at accessnow.org
S. deborah.l.brown
T. deblebrown
PGP 0x5EB4727D
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